Portion Distortion!
Do You Know How Food Portions Have Changed in 20 Years?
Anyone eating on the run or at restaurants has probably noticed that food portions have gotten larger. Some portions are called "super size," while others have simply grown in size and provide enough food for at least two people. With this growth have come increases in waistlines and body weight.
To see if you know how today's portions compare to the portions available 20 years ago, quiz yourself on Portion Distortion I (2003) and Portion Distortion II (2004). You will also learn about the amount of physical activity required to burn off the extra calories provided by today's portions.
We hope you find Portion Distortion insightful and fun. We also hope that next time you eat on the run, you will think twice about the food portions offered to you.
Try a question
- Portion Distortion I: the bagel
Pick an answer and check it against the archived question page.
- Portion Distortion II: coffee
The first question of the second quiz, with its original pictures.
- Portion Distortion II: chicken Caesar salad
The fourth question of the second quiz, with its original pictures.
Three of the original interactive question pages survive in the archive. Every question and answer of both quizzes is given below, from the archived text version of each quiz's slide set. The figures are reproduced as archived, including where a slide's own numbers do not agree with each other.
Portion Distortion I (2003): every slide
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
National High Blood Pressure Education Program
Stay Young at Heart, Portion Distortion
SLIDE 1: Do You Know How Food Portions Have Changed in 20 Years?
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Obesity Education Initiative
SLIDE 2: BAGEL
20 Years Ago
140 calories
3-inch diameter
Today
How many calories are in this bagel?
SLIDE 3: BAGEL
20 Years Ago
140 calories
3-inch diameter
Today
350 calories
6-inch diameter
Calorie Difference: 210 calories
SLIDE 4: Maintaining a Healthy Weight is a Balancing Act
Calories In = Calories Out
How long will you have to rake leaves in order to burn the extra 210 calories?*
*Based on 130-pound person
SLIDE 5: Calories In = Calories Out
If you rake the leaves for 50 minutes you will burn the extra 210 calories.*
*Based on 130-pound person
SLIDE 6: CHEESEBURGER
20 Years Ago
330 calories
Today
How many calories are in today's cheeseburger?
SLIDE 7: CHEESEBURGER
20 Years Ago
330 calories
Today
590 calories
Calorie Difference: 257 calories
SLIDE 8: Maintaining a Healthy Weight is a Balancing Act
Calories In = Calories Out
How long will you have to lift weights in order to burn the extra 257 calories?*
*Based on 130-pound person
SLIDE 9: Calories In = Calories Out
If you lift weights for 1 hour and 30 minutes, you will burn approximately 257 calories.*
*Based on 130-pound person
SLIDE 10: SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS
20 Years Ago
500 calories
1 cup spaghetti with sauce and 3 small meatballs
Today
How many calories do you think are in today's portion of spaghetti and meatballs?
SLIDE 11: SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS
20 Years Ago
500 calories
1 cup spaghetti with sauce and 3 small meatballs
Today
1,025 calories
2 cups of pasta with sauce and 3 large meatballs
Calorie Difference: 525 calories
SLIDE 12: Maintaining a Healthy Weight is a Balancing Act
Calories In = Calories Out
How long will you have to houseclean in order to burn the extra 525 calories?*
*Based on 130-pound person
SLIDE 13: Calories In = Calories Out
If you houseclean for 2 hours and 35 minutes, you will burn approximately 525 calories.*
*Based on 130-pound person
SLIDE 14: FRENCH FRIES
20 Years Ago
210 Calories
2.4 ounces
Today
How many calories are in today's portion of fries?
SLIDE 15: FRENCH FRIES
20 Years Ago
210 Calories
2.4 ounces
Today
610 Calories
6.9 ounces
Calorie Difference: 400 Calories
SLIDE 16: Maintaining a Healthy Weight is a Balancing Act
Calories In = Calories Out
How long will you have to walk leisurely in order to burn those extra 400 calories?*
*Based on 160-pound person
SLIDE 17: Calories In = Calories Out
If you walk leisurely for 1 hour and 10 minutes you will burn approximately 400 calories.*
*Based on 160-pound person
SLIDE 18: SODA
20 Years Ago
85 Calories
6.5 ounces
Today
How many calories are in today's portion?
SLIDE 19: SODA
20 Years Ago
85 Calories
6.5 ounces
Today
250 Calories
20 ounces
Calorie Difference: 165 Calories
SLIDE 20: Maintaining a Healthy Weight is a Balancing Act
Calories In = Calories Out
How long will you have to work in the garden to burn those extra calories?*
*Based on 160-pound person
SLIDE 21: Calories In = Calories Out
If you work in the garden for 35 minutes, you will burn approximately 165 calories.*
*Based on 160-pound person
SLIDE 22: TURKEY SANDWICH
20 Years Ago
320 calories
Today
How many calories are in today's turkey sandwich?
SLIDE 23: TURKEY SANDWICH
20 Years Ago
320 calories
Today
820 calories
Calorie Difference: 500 Calories
SLIDE 24: Maintaining a Healthy Weight is a Balancing Act
Calories In = Calories Out
How long will you have to ride a bike in order to burn those extra calories?*
*Based on 160-pound person
SLIDE 25: Calories In = Calories Out
If you ride a bike for 1 hour and 25 minutes, you will burn approximately 500 calories.*
*Based on 160-pound person
SLIDE 26: Thank you for participating in Portion Distortion!
For more information about Maintaining a Healthy Weight visit www.nhlbi.nih.gov
Portion Distortion II (2004): every slide
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
National High Blood Pressure Education Program
Portion Distortion II--Do You Know How Food Portions Have Changed in 20 Years?
SLIDE 1: Do You Know How Food Portions Have Changed in 20 Years?
US Department of Health and Human Services
National Institutes of Health
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Obesity Education Initiative
SLIDE 2: COFFEE
20 Years Ago
Coffee (with whole milk and sugar)
45 calories 8 ounces
Today
Mocha Coffee (with steamed whole milk and mocha syrup)
How many calories are in today's coffee?
SLIDE 3: COFFEE
20 Years Ago
140 calories
3-inch diameter
Today
350 calories
16 ounces
Calorie Difference: 305 calories
SLIDE 4: Maintaining a Healthy Weight is a Balancing Act
Calories In = Calories Out
How long will you have to walk in order to burn those extra 305 calories?*
*Based on 130-pound person
SLIDE 5: Calories In = Calories Out
If you walk 1 hour and 20 minutes, you will burn approximately 305 calories*
*Based on 130-pound person
SLIDE 6: MUFFIN
20 Years Ago
210 calories
1.5 ounces
Today
How many calories are in today’s muffin?
SLIDE 7: MUFFIN
20 Years Ago
210 calories
1.5 ounces
Today
500 calories 4 ounces
Calorie Difference: 290 calories
SLIDE 8: Maintaining a Healthy Weight is a Balancing Act
Calories In = Calories Out
How long will you have to vacuum in order to burn those extra 290 calories?*
*Based on 130-pound person
SLIDE 9: Calories In = Calories Out
If you vacuum for 1 hour and 30 minutes you will burn approximately 290 calories.*
*Based on 130-pound person
SLIDE 10: PEPPERONI PIZZA
20 Years Ago
500 calories
Today
How many calories are in two large slices of today’s pizza?
SLIDE 11: PEPPERONI PIZZA
20 Years Ago
500 calories
Today
850 calories
Calorie Difference: 350 calories
SLIDE 12: Maintaining a Healthy Weight is a Balancing Act
Calories In = Calories Out
How long will you have to play golf (while walking and carrying your clubs) in order to burn those extra 350 calories?*
*Based on 160-pound person
SLIDE 13: Calories In = Calories Out
If you play golf (while walking and carrying your clubs) for 1 hour you will burn approximately 350 calories.*
*Based on 160-pound person
SLIDE 14: CHICKEN CAESAR SALAD
20 Years Ago
390 calories
1 ½ cups
Today
How many calories are today's chicken Caesar salad?
SLIDE 15: CHICKEN CAESAR SALAD
20 Years Ago
390 calories
1 ½ cups
Today
790 calories
3 ½ cups
Calorie Difference: 400 Calories
SLIDE 16: Maintaining a Healthy Weight is a Balancing Act
Calories In = Calories Out
How long will you have to walk the dog in order to burn those extra 400 calories?*
*Based on 160-pound person
SLIDE 17: Calories In = Calories Out
If you walk the dog for 1 hour and 20 minutes, you will burn approximately 400 calories*
*Based on 160-pound person
SLIDE 18: POPCORN
20 Years Ago
210 calories,
5 cups
Today
How many calories are in today's large popcorn?
SLIDE 19: POPCORN
20 Years Ago
210 calories,
5 cups
Today
630 calories 11 cups
Calorie Difference: 360 Calories
SLIDE 20: Maintaining a Healthy Weight is a Balancing Act
Calories In = Calories Out
How long will you you have to do water aerobics in order to burn the extra 360 calories?*
*Based on 160-pound person
SLIDE 21: Calories In = Calories Out
If you do water aerobics for 1 hour and 15 minutes you will burn approximately 360 calories.*
*Based on 160-pound person
SLIDE 22: CHEESECAKE
20 Years Ago
260 calories
3 ounces
Today
How many calories are in today’s large portion of cheesecake?
SLIDE 23: CHEESECAKE
20 Years Ago
260 Calories
3 ounces
Today
640 calories
7 ounces
Calorie Difference: 380 calories
SLIDE 24: Maintaining a Healthy Weight is a Balancing Act
Calories In = Calories Out
How long will you have to play tennis in order to burn those extra 380 calories?*
*Based on 130-pound person
SLIDE 25: Calories In = Calories Out
If you play tennis for 55 minutes you will burn approximately 380 calories.*
*Based on 130-pound person
SLIDE 26: CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE
20 Years Ago
55 calories
1.5 inch diameter
Today
How many calories are in today’s large cookie?
SLIDE 27: CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE
20 Years Ago
55 calories
1.5 inch diameter
Today
275 calories
3.5 inch diameter
Calorie Difference: 220 calories
SLIDE 28: Maintaining a Healthy Weight is a Balancing Act
Calories In = Calories Out
How long will you have to wash the car to burn those extra 220 calories?*
*Based on 130-pound person
SLIDE 29: Calories In = Calories Out
If you wash the car for 1 hour and 15 minutes you will burn approximately 220 calories.*
*Based on 130-pound person
SLIDE 30: CHICKEN STIR FRY
20 Years Ago
435 calories
2 cups
Today
How many calories are in today’s chicken stir fry?
SLIDE 31: CHICKEN STIR FRY
20 Years Ago
435 calories
2 cups
Today
865 calories
4 ½ cups
Calorie Difference: 430 calories
SLIDE 32: Maintaining a Healthy Weight is a Balancing Act
Calories In = Calories Out
How long will you have to do aerobic dance to burn those extra 430 calories?*
*Based on 130-pound person
SLIDE 33: Calories In = Calories Out
If you do aerobic dance for 1 hour and 5 minutes you will burn approximately 430 calories.*
*Based on 130-pound person
SLIDE 34: Thank you for participating in Portion Distortion II!
For more information about Maintaining a Healthy Weight visit www.nhlbi.nih.gov
Portions, servings and the Serving Size Card
To learn about the difference between portions and servings, visit Keep an Eye on Portion Size. The archived Serving Size Card (PDF) compares one serving of common foods with everyday objects; it is a two-panel cut-out card, kept here as the original file.